Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Marketing Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute a holistic marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the companys growth objectives business priorities and brand promise.
• Act as a thought partner to the President and other executives providing insights and recommendations that influence business decisions and drive innovation.
• Conduct and analyze surety market trends in relation to consumer trends competitive positioning and new business development opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with underwriting in leading where the company should have a presence and assesses investment decisions of new locations. Develops strategy to drive the organization to the future market positions and geographic locations.
• Build relationships with key customers to identify issues and opportunities. Works with Underwriting to identify and develop potential new agency relationships.
• Network with industry professionals to build relationships with key business resources including SFAA NASBP and Insurance Marketers of America.
• Collaborate with Underwriting in creating metrics to measure the effectiveness and ROI of marketing and sales efforts. Utilizes robust reporting capability that can use customer market and performance information for goal setting planning and tracking of marketing efforts.
• Lead research efforts with agency partners and customers to gather strategic feedback and insights.
• Work closely with Underwriting to help the teams develop implement and follow up on their production goals and plans. Consults with underwriters to personalize their marketing approach and materials to agents and agencies nationwide. Partners with Underwriters on marketing trips to increase their marketing capabilities and production.
• Works closely with Underwriting to create effective incentive programs.
• Identifies and leads appropriate sales training and contracts with vendors to customize content to be most relevant for underwriting staff.
• Interviews Underwriter candidates and makes recommendations for hire. Works with underwriting department on onboarding processes and educating new hires.

Brand Management and Marketing Direction

• Design plan and execute effective marketing campaigns programs and key events.
• Set and maintain standards for the companys brand ensuring all touchpoints reflect firstclass experiences and the brand promise.
• Oversee advertising strategies ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in collaboration with Compliance.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of marketing tools including gift items to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
• Serve as a cultural steward for the organization ensuring the marketing department exemplifies our values of trust collaboration and excellence

Communications

• Lead public industry and media relations serving as the companys spokesperson as needed.
• Develop and execute strategic plans for the companys public website social media presence and content marketing strategies.
• Champion Merchants reputation through risk mitigation crisis communications and business continuity strategies.
• Advise on internal communications including intranet updates company announcements and employee engagement initiatives.

Foundation Leadership

• Serve as Vice President of Merchants Bonding Company Foundation. Cultivates quarterly communications for the Board reporting on activities of the Foundation.
• Work closely with the COC in advising on annual initiatives. In conjunction with the Foundations Sr. Vice President oversees mission and vision and ensures the COC charter is being adhered to.
• Assist in identifying what organizations and activities align to Merchants Bonding Company Foundations mission and purpose and advises on organizations and initiatives to support. Assists in defining the approval process for reviewing outside organizations and programs the Company may be considering to support.
• Assess and refine programs that support the foundation (e.g. Shining star VTO matching gift). Develops fresh approaches to current and new programs to keep the foundation flourishing and Associates engagement high.

Team Development and Leadership

• Develop and track KPIs for marketing and communication plans and department. Leads mentors and inspires a team fostering a culture of innovation accountability and professional growth.
• Recruit coach and evaluate marketing department staff. Coordinates workloads Associates assignments and projects and coordinates with other department leaders for additional internal resources.
• Provide career paths and development for the team. Reward and recognizes team and makes decisions on merit increases and promotion.
• Collaborate with Underwriting to personalize marketing approaches and materials providing ongoing sales and marketing training to enhance team effectiveness.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of Underwriting team members ensuring alignment with company values and goals.
• Oversee the identification and management of thirdparty marketing partners and vendors negotiating contracts and evaluating the relationships.

Education and Experience: Bachelors degree in Marketing Communications or related degree required. Plus 15 years of progressive marketing and communications leadership experience. Marketing leadership role in insurance financial services or B2B sectors preferred.

• Proven track record of driving growth managing brand evolution and leading digital transformation.
• Expertise in B2B marketing strategies customer segmentation lifecycle marketing and channel management.
• Strong understanding of modern martech platforms CRM systems and data analytics tools.
• Strategic mindset with a handson approach to execution.

Competencies: Associate in this role will excel in Strategic Messaging effectively communicating key initiatives and organizational goals to inspire and engage stakeholders. They will demonstrate Vision and Innovation driving forwardthinking strategies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. With a strong emphasis on Cultivating Organizational Empathy they will build inclusive environments that prioritize collaboration and employee wellbeing. The candidate will be instrumental in Creating Top Talent implementing talent development strategies that attract retain and grow highperforming individuals. As a Change Leader they will navigate complex transformations with agility and resilience. They will adeptly Balance Stakeholders managing diverse perspectives to achieve alignment and business success. Lastly they will bring Business Insight leveraging datadriven decisionmaking and industry knowledge to contribute to the organizations longterm growth and sustainability.

Essential Functions:

This associate must be able to travel nationwide to build relationships for the purposes of effective marketing of the Companys services. This associate must have effective oral and written communication skills to create marketing materials and advertising and work effectively with all types of media. The associate must be able to consult on marketing approaches and overall Company marketing strategies.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable associates with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The associates work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards; and repetitive motion with substantial movements (motions) of the wrists hands and/or fingers. The associate frequently is required to sit walk; climb; balance and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The associate may infrequently be asked to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The associate is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the associate is exposed to normal office working conditions that are climatecontrolled. The associate would not be exposed to extreme heat cold or other workplace hazards. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills efforts duties responsibilities or working conditions associated with this position. The CMO assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the President.